Sponsored by Cat Care Center of Baton Rouge
While many pets love their humans working from home, some may need a little space to adjust. The workday can be as long for your cat as it is for you, and their boredom is real. Be sure to pause throughout and take time to play with your cat. If you don’t want to have to hold the other end of the string toy or toss the ball, choose toys that kitty can play with alone. Never underestimate the power of an empty box or paper bag on the floor—your cat will immediately have to explore it—so you can get a little time to get some work done.
The Cat Care Center takes a refreshing approach to feline health. The new facility was designed carefully and specifically for cats. Dr. Lacie Lee, DVM isn’t just a veterinarian; she also has a special interest in feline behavior. She realizes that cats’ health care should be a reflection of their special needs, so the office and examination rooms at the Cat Care Center reflect that belief. With levels for climbing, plug-in pheromones, comfy bedding and bubbling aquariums, her feline patients stay calm and comfortable. For more information, visit CatCareCenter.com, call 225.228.1039 or email [email protected].
Dr. Lacie Lee shares some tips to help feline office mates adjust.
1. Safe spots make happy places.
In a home, each cat needs their own safe resting place and they certainly have their preferences. Whether high on a perch or low in a cat cave, try providing a few comfy resting places that align with favorite sunbeams as they move through the day. These spaces will encourage more cordial feline time-sharing in the home.
2. Separate resources to give peace of mind.
Because cats are a highly solitary and territorial species, food and water stations should be spread out in socially significant areas, as should toileting, scratching, play areas, and resting spots. Placement is everything and location is paramount. Ideally, scratching posts should be placed where the cat first wakes up to stretch. Litter boxes need to be in areas where the cat hangs out instead of tucked away in a separate bedroom or laundry room. Cats are generally solitary hunters and eaters, so sharing one feeding station with multiple cats can be stressful to some and they would rather just not eat.
“It is important to construct a floorplan made from observation of your cat and its preferences. There isn’t a standard here, rather one that can be adjusted between you and someone trained in feline behavior to optimize your home for a happy, secure cat. I call this Feline Feng Shui.”
—Dr. Lacie Lee, Cat Care Center of Baton Rouge
3. Let the panther out.
Natural-born hunters with a high prey drive, cats thrive when given the opportunity to tap into their predatory behaviors. Cats love to operate in rhythms and rituals. Hunting is one of those rituals. Provide opportunities to perform the “hunt, catch, kill, eat, groom, sleep” ritual. For indoor cats, use wands, motion mice and various other toys. You can also incorporate feeders for cats like the ones at foodpuzzlesforcats.com. Predatory behaviors are an excellent opportunity for exercise and will decrease their tendency for undesirable behaviors. Dr. Lacie’s Cat Care Center team has options for every cat.
4. Be predictable. Cats enjoy a fair amount of solitude, and working from home may interrupt their “me time.” A cat’s human housemates become part of their social scent and they enjoy interactions with their humans. Spend dedicated time each day with each cat. This can be through play, petting, brushing, clicker training, fetching, etc. Respect the personality of each cat—if they need this connection in solitude with only their human, make time for them.
5. Reward your cat’s super sense of smell. No harsh air fresheners or strong smells please. Instead, utilize catnip, silver vine, or others for scent stimulation. Pheromone products work well at home. Find out which ones may be best for your cats and your home by emailing [email protected].
Grab your cup of coffee and join Dr. Lacie Lee and Cat Care Center as she talks about the importance of your cat’s health and how to navigate through COVID-19 with your cats. There will also be time for Q & A and she will answer any questions you may have. Click to check out the new webinar series: Cats and Coffee with Dr. Lacie. This is a series, and Dr. Lacie regularly posts updates.